The ASCAP Foundation Announces 2026 Musical Theatre Workshop At The Wallis In Los Angeles

Three New Musicals to Be Presented May 11-13, 2026, Featuring Live Readings and Expert Feedback Panels

LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2026 - The ASCAP Foundation is excited to announce the return of its annual Musical Theatre Workshop, taking place May 11-13, 2026 at the acclaimed Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The three-day event will spotlight new works by emerging musical theatre writers selected by a distinguished panel of musical theatre professionals.

"At The ASCAP Foundation, we believe that nurturing the spark of creativity in the next generation of songwriters and composers is essential to the future of music and storytelling. Our Musical Theatre Workshop at The Wallis remains a vibrant incubator where fresh voices are heard, bold ideas take shape, and new breakthroughs in musical theatre are born. We are incredibly proud to support another inspiring year at The Wallis," said ASCAP Foundation Executive Director Patricia Leonard.

"The ASCAP Foundation workshop continues to be one of the most prestigious and important development programs for young musical theatre composers, lyricists and librettists, so many of whom have gone on to theatrical success," shares ASCAP VP of Musical Theatre and Cabaret Michael Kerker.

"We are so grateful for our creative partnership with The ASCAP Foundation. The many seasons with the Musical Theatre Workshop allows us to deliver on one of our core missions as a home for industry luminaries to foster new and emerging voices," said The Wallis' Acting Chief Artistic Officer Coy Middlebrook.

Now a cornerstone of The ASCAP Foundation's commitment to nurturing the next generation of musical theatre creators, the workshop features three evenings of live excerpts from the musicals presented by their writers, each beginning at 7:00 PM, followed by an in-depth feedback session with a panel of respected theatre professionals. The program offers writers a rare opportunity to develop their work in a collaborative, supportive environment while engaging directly with industry experts and audiences.

Each evening will feature a 45-50-minute presentation of a new musical, followed by a short intermission and a one-hour moderated feedback panel in the Bram Goldsmith Theater.

All three evenings are presented with support from The Music Man Foundation.

2026 Musical Theatre Workshop Schedule

Monday, May 11, 2026
Lilyville by Antonius Anand Nazareth
Cast of four performers with piano accompaniment

Grieving her mother's death, LILLY retreats into "Lillyville," a video game simulation she made to be perfect. In this digital sanctuary, her bullies are her best friends, the townsfolk worship her, and her mother is still alive. The narrative shifts into the digital world when Lilly suddenly "wakes up" inside the game. What first appears to be an idyllic fantasy begins to crumble and fall apart as the AI people of Lillyville become aware of their artificial nature. Lillyville explores the central questions around what makes us human, what AI can never replace, and ultimately what makes life worth living.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026
The Waiting by Maria Isabella Andreoli and EmmaLee Kidwell
Cast of seven performers with guitar and violin accompaniment

Deep in the woods of Vermont there exists a space between two worlds. There lies "The InBetween" - a timeless purgatory where those who were taken from life too soon wait, tethered to a lost life they can't remember. The story unfolds as these characters learn that the love and loss from their past lives may be the thing keeping them from moving forward. Woven through haunting folk melodies and earthly poetry, the musical explores how we keep those that we have lost in our hearts, in our memories, and in the land forever.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Legendary by Cheeyang Ng
Solo presentation with piano accompaniment

'In the beginning, there was a God named Pan Gu, and a ravishing Goddess named Nü Wa.' Ancient myths. Modern questions. International multi-award-winning artist and singer-songwriter Cheeyang Ng blends Chinese mythology, memory and queer legacy in the electrifying solo ritual musical Legendary, a life-affirming tale of queer joy and identity. Through communal song and the retelling of ancient myths, they explore their relationship with family, tradition and the stories that have shaped them, yet never reflected them.

Reservations and tickets are required for all performances and are available free of charge HERE. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills CA 90210.

The Musical Theatre Workshop reflects The ASCAP Foundation's ongoing mission to champion new voices in musical theatre by providing meaningful development opportunities, professional mentorship, and public presentation platforms. Previous ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshop alumni include: Steven Lutvak (Tony Award-winning A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), Glenn Slater (Tony-nominated School of Rock), Matthew Sklar & Chad Beguelin (The Prom, Elf the Musical), Marcy Heisler & Zina Goldrich (Dear Edwina, Ever After) and Khiyon Hursey (Spirited, Xtravaganza).

About The ASCAP Foundation

The ASCAP Foundation was founded in 1975 and is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education, talent development and humanitarian programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and from music lovers throughout the United States. www.ascapfoundation.org

About the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

The Wallis, located in the heart of Beverly Hills, is a dynamic cultural hub and community resource where local, national, and international performers share their artistry with ever-expanding audiences. Distinguished by eclectic programming that mirrors the diverse landscape of Los Angeles and its location in the entertainment capital of the world, The Wallis has produced and presented nearly 500 theater, dance, music, film, cabaret, comedy, performance arts, and family entertainment programs, boasting nominations for 79 Ovation Awards and nine L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards, as well as six architectural awards. The breathtaking 70,000-square-foot facility, celebrating the classic and the modern, was named after philanthropist Wallis Annenberg, who was instrumental in transforming the beloved former 1934 Beverly Hills Post Office (on the National Register of Historic Places) into an arts complex.

Daphna Nazarian is Chair of The Wallis' Board of Directors.

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CONTACT:
Bobbi Marcus
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Tim Choy, Davidson & Choy Publicity

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